BY ALEX PEWTER
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is unwilling to put a timescale on a return for Adam Wharton after the England international suffered a setback in his rehab.
A day before the South London club’s Premier League game against Arsenal, it had been expected that the young midfielder would be back with the squad after undergoing surgery, having last played for the team at the end of October.
A setback in training during his recovery has extended that absence, but Glasner gave an update on his condition on Friday afternoon during his press conference previewing the visit of the Gunners to SE25.
“There isn’t a structural injury anymore because he had the surgery, which was fixed and done,” said the Eagles manager.
“As everyone knows, with a groin injury, there are so many different types of muscles in this area. It’s not a case of having an injection, and everything is fine – so we have to get the whole hip area under control, and so everything is working together.
“You have the front, back, the abductors and the core – you have so many muscles in there, and we didn’t get this under control at the moment so that it’s pain-free.”
Glasner was also unwilling to give a further timescale for his return as Wharton continues to rehab from his initial injury.
“This is what we are trying [to achieve], and that’s why it’s hard to say it’s ‘two weeks’ or ‘four weeks’ – but we need him back, of course.”
Despite Wharton’s absence and Cheick Doucoure’s low use, the team is starting without both midfielders, who were widely considered the best pairing on paper, even if they haven’t had the opportunity to play together for any real length of time.
The prospect of Adam Wharton and his progressive passing ability is exciting for Palace fans, especially since his upturn in fortunes while he has been away from the pitch. Alas, that wait will be a bit longer than anyone desired.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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